THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 87 



After flowering, water should be withheld, unless seeds are 

 required, in order that the bulbs may be ripened early. This will, in 

 general, be accomplished soon after the foliage is completely withered, 

 but their removal from the ground is a matter to be left entirely to 

 the taste of the cultivator. If allowed to remain, they will vegetate 

 earlier than those removed and preserved in a dry state, and in mild 

 seasons they will flower earlier the following spring ; but on the 

 other hand, they will require more attention during the winter to 

 protect them from frost. When sufficient protection can be afforded 

 them — and this is comparatively easy in the case of those planted in 

 clumps — we think that there is some advantage in allowing them to 

 remain undisturbed for two or three years at least, by which time 

 most of them will have increased so much by offsets, as to require 

 division. If they are kept out of the ground during winter, the 

 smallest offsets frequently wither and perish. 



"We have not room for a list of the best species in each genus, 

 but Gladioli, Watsonias, and Antholyzas are the tallest ; most of 

 the others comparatively dwarf. 



CULTURE OE THE TEEE CARNATION. 



jjEW plants are more improved of late years, both in habit 

 of growth, variety and richness of colours, than Tree 

 Carnations, and they amply repay the attention that has 

 been bestowed on them, for they are not only beautiful 

 ^ but very fragrant, and with little care they may be had 

 in flower at almost any season ; in fact, if a sufficient quantity of 

 plants is prepared, a succession of bloom may be obtained from them 

 the whole year round. I trust therefore, that we shall shortly see 

 them very extensively cultivated. They are easily propagated by 

 cuttings, which should be made of half-ripe wood, like the show 

 varieties, cutting them close off below a joint and removing the lower 

 leaves. March or April will be found the best months for putting 

 in a stock for winter blooming, as they will make excellent plants 

 during summer and autumn. Although they strike readily nearly all 

 the year round if placed in a slight bottom-heat, the most healthy of 

 the old plants should be selected and placed in a warm temperature 

 to excite growth prior to the cuttings being taken off. By following 

 this plan they will be found to strike more freely. The pots should 

 be thoroughly drained for their reception, and a portion of rough 

 eiftings or moss placed over the crocks. The compost should consist 

 of one-half light sandy soil and one-half leaf-mould and sand, run 

 through a fine sieve and well mixed together. With this the pots 

 should be filled to within about half an inch of the top, the remainder 

 being made up with sharp sand pressed firmly and slightly watered 

 before the cuttings are inserted. 



If placed in a slight bottom-heat they will not require any bell- 

 glasses to cover them, for if only slightly shaded during sunny days 

 they will very speedily take root. All decaying matter should 

 be removed the moment it is perceived, as it creates damp. 



March. 



